Is Sunblock A Hazard To Your Health?

Is Sunblock A Hazard To Your Health?

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Ah, the beautiful season of summer is right around the corner. You have to love the scents of hot pavement cooling off after a sun shower, fresh tomatoes from the garden, the chlorine from the pool and of course, sun block! Many of us are getting our beach bodies ready and planning our family vacation. Perhaps youre so excited about vacation, youre already making a list of essentials to take with you to the beach this year. What you may not know is that one of the most popular summertime products you use on yourself and your children may be hazardous to your health. Im not just talking about bug spray.
The public has become more aware of the dangers of skin cancer over the past decade and many people feel that wearing sun block is the best form of protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. What many people are not aware of is that your typical store-brand sun block can do more damage than good. The question is, doesnt it defeat the purpose to rub something over your entire body that is meant to protect you from harm when the product itself is harmful in other ways?

You are probably thinking that Im overreacting and that Im going to extremes when I state that your average sun block is dangerous. You might even think Im downright loony for making such a statement. Besides, isnt it responsible of us to protect ourselves, more importantly our children, during long periods out in the sun? Of course it is. By all means, protect your skin and make sure that you do the same for your children, especially if you plan to be outside for more that 10 or 15 minutes in direct sunlight. Im simply recommending that you use a more natural approach. Sure, youve used sun block for years and your still alive and your not sick, so whats the big deal if you sport a few chemicals on your skin for just one of the four seasons? Well, you might change your mind; at least Im hoping you will, after reading this.

The truth is that you have a greater chance of developing malignant melanoma when you use some of the most popular brands of sun block. Sure it protects against two types of carcinoma but what good does that do if it can give you the worst form of skin cancer? The last time I checked, sun block was responsible for 75% of deaths due to skin cancer. Seventy-five percent of those people might still be alive today had they chosen a natural alternative.

One of the chemicals found in most brands of sun block is propylene glycol. Just the name of this chemical makes me angry because I am constantly writing about how toxic this is and Im tired of reading labels at the store and seeing this junk listed in the ingredients. This is still a common chemical used in almost any product that comes in a cream form as it provides a slippery consistency. This trash is also found in antifreeze and brake fluid yet it is still widely used in many beauty products and in some of the food you might buy every day at the grocery store. Get this chemical out of our products!
Health Risks:
Kidney, Liver Damage, Gastro-intestinal Problems, Rashes, Dry Skin, Headaches and Vomiting.

Chemical #2: Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Would you rub engine degreaser or floor cleaner made for concrete all over your body? If your answer is yes, then dont throw away your typical sun block. This chemical helps to create lather so it is not only conveniently added to your sun block, but also to your soap and toothpaste. As an aside, if youve been getting canker sores, you might want to go with natural toothpaste like Jasons Power Smile (I found that it also brightens my teeth better).
Health Risks:
Inhibits the healthy formation of childrens eyes, Impairs hair growth, Deteriorates protein and causes skin inflammation. This chemical becomes a carcinogen when it interacts with other products that include nitrogen.

Chemical #3: DEA. Lets just give this one initials rather than taking up all that space in the list of ingredients. After all, consumers wont be able to pronounce diethanolamine anyway and this just looks better. So, what is this mystery chemical? DEA is used in textile processing and in metalworking fluids. DEA is an alkanolamine and alkanolamines contain nitrogen. Remember nitrogen + sodium lauryl sulfate= bad news, but handy as it is, it also a wetting agent and creates a pleasant foam so lets throw it in the sun block. DEA is also found in intravenous drugs, shampoo, dish and laundry detergents and cosmetics.
Health Risks:
Many cancers including stomach and bladder cancer, Inhibits brain development, Liver damage, Kidney damage, Blood and testicular toxicity.

Chemical #4: Parabens. When I was little I always thought that parabens were what made my shampoo smell pretty. It was always in the list of ingredients on the bottle I would attempt to read while taking a bath and something about the word sounded soothing. So, what could this be? Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives that are quickly absorbed by our skin.
Health Risks:
May contribute to breast cancer as it mimics estrogen (19 out of 20 women with breast cancer were found to have parabens in their tumors, according to Environmental Working Group). Parabens also disrupt our endocrine system.

So, just because you do not become immediately ill from using sun block, does not necessarily mean that you are out of harms way. I beg of you- use a natural sun block. Please. Now that you know of the danger you could be putting yourself in, doesnt it seem ridiculous not to? To think that we chose not to buy some organic products simply because they cost a dollar or two more than the norm seems silly when we study the benefits of going chemical free and having the piece of mind that we are taking responsibility for our own health and wellness. One 8 oz. bottle of Coppertone $9.99. One 4 oz. bottle of Aubrey organic sun block $5.50. Knowing that youre not slathering antifreeze onto little Lilys body? Priceless.


By: Francis David

About the Author:

Franis helps people learn about Dish TV Satellite TV, and how they can save money every month with popular Dish Network Packages. Dish has advanced, award winning, Dish DVR and Dish HD receivers, there is a lot of good news to share and also help people determine the right package.



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